Docherty helps club earn first silverware in nearly two decades, just days after extending his deal at Pittodrie

Aberdeen assistant boss Tony Docherty backed up a contract extension by helping the Dons to their first trophy
in almost two decades on Sunday.

Born and bred in East Kilbride, the 42-year-old is Derek McInnes’ No?2 at Pittodrie and on Sunday they celebrated one of their finest moments in football as they led Aberdeen to a penalty shoot-out win over Inverness in the League Cup Final, after
the game had finished 0-0 following extra-time.

Just
two days before the showpiece event, the duo signed a deal that will keep them in the Granite City until 2017 and Docherty told the News the trophy win, Aberdeen’s first since 1995, was the icing on the cake.

“I’m
really happy at Aberdeen and it has been a fantastic week being offered
the new contract and winning the League Cup,” said Docherty, who now lives in Broughty Ferry.

“Derek
and I were rewarded for our success this season and we’ve rewarded the club with a trophy, so it’s been a very enjoyable few days.

“Penalties was not the way we would have liked to win the cup but our preparation in training really paid off.

“We
tried to simulate a shootout as much as we could in the training environment, but it was never going to be the same as the real thing.

“However,
we all had confidence in the group of players we have that when it got to that stage we were well equipped to deal with it.

“It’s a great moment for the club and I’m so pleased for the fans and the chairman (Stewart Milne).

“The
support we had on Sunday was beyond belief and arriving at Celtic Park and seeing a wall of red was incredible. It spurred us on.”

Most of Docherty’s family and friends still live in the town and he was thrilled to share the momentous moment with them.

He added: “The moment we won was incredible and having my family there made it even better.

“My
wife and two girls — Sophia (7) and Isabella (4) — were there to share it with me on the pitch and that’s something I’ll never forget.

“It
was amazing to have the support of my parents, who still live in Calderwood, and my brother, from the Village, as well and EK is still a big part of my life.

“I’m originally from Greenhills so I’m in the town a lot seeing my family and friends.

“After losing a final with Dundee United before (in 2005), it’s amazing the contrast when you win the trophy.

“We all had a great night out on Sunday and there were a few sore heads on Monday morning.”